Brink
/brɪŋk/
nounB2
Definition
Brink is the very edge or border of a place or situation. It often means the point just before something important, usually something risky or dangerous, happens. People use it to talk about moments when a big change or decision is about to occur.
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See It in Action
The edge or border of a physical place
- •She stood on the brink of the river, looking at the water below.
- •The house was built near the brink of a steep hill.
- •They camped at the brink of the forest.
A critical point just before a big change or risk
- •The country was on the brink of war.
- •He was on the brink of tears after hearing the bad news.
- •The company is on the brink of bankruptcy.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "brink" like "edge" (A1 word), but it usually means more than just a physical edge—it also means a moment before something important or risky
- ✓Picture standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down—this is the brink, where you must be careful
- ✓It's the feeling of being very close to a big change or problem, like just before a storm starts
- ✓Sounds like "brink" → imagine a drink (beverage) right at the edge of a table, about to fall off
- ✓Think of stories where a hero is on the brink of giving up or on the brink of victory—right at the critical moment
- ✓NOT like "middle" (center), brink is at the very outer limit or border
- ✓NOT like "safe place," brink is often a place or time of danger or big change
- ✓NOT like "end" (final point), brink is the point just before something happens, not after
Try Other Words
- •Edge: the border or side of something (Use when talking about physical borders without risk or danger)
- •Verge: the point just before something happens (Use when focusing on a moment before change, similar to brink)
- •Threshold: the starting point of a new situation (Use when talking about beginning a new experience or phase)
- •Border: the line between two areas or countries (Use when talking about political or geographic boundaries)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) — simple root word "brink"
- •Etymology: From Old Norse "brinkr," meaning edge or bank (of a river or cliff)
- •Historical development: Used since old times to mean edge of land, later extended to mean edge of situations or moments
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe physical edges and critical moments before big events or dangers
- •Key insight: Brink is both a place and a moment—always near something important or risky
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you were on the brink of a big decision? What happened next?
•How does the idea of being on the brink help us understand moments of change in stories or real life?
Fill in the blanks
1.The country was on the brink of ___ because of political problems.
2.She stood at the brink of the ___, feeling nervous about the height.
3.When someone is on the brink of tears, it means they are very close to ___.
4.The company avoided bankruptcy even though it was on the brink of ___.
5.Unlike the middle of a road, the brink is the very ___ of something.
6.The hero was on the brink of ___ victory after a long battle.
7.We should be careful near the brink because it is often a place of ___ or risk.